Lenovo plans to double smartphone production in India

Dated: November 26, 2015

Chinese smartphone maker Lenovo, which owns the Motorola brand, plans to nearly double local production to 10 million units annually next year, as it aims to become the No. 2 smartphone brand in the fastest growing market worldwide. The company also plans to export from its existing facility in Chennai and will add more models from both brands to be made locally. Initially, Moto Maker will allow users to customize the back panels of their smartphones.

The company plans to launch global products in the first wave alongside leading global markets, a never before move, and intends to use the Indian team's creative might for global launches.

"We will increase the local production to 10 million units next year. Right now, we have a peak capacity of 6 million. It's logistically easier for us to ship multiple phones, each with its own customisation, locally than shipping a single customised phone from China." Chen Xudong, president of mobile business group of Lenovo and chairman of Motorola Mobility's operating board said.

The company which competes with strong local brands in India, besides rivals from its home market and MNC brands, said India would continue to be its focus market for the next several years as smartphone growth escalates.

Having combined sales teams of Motorola and Lenovo in the country, using Indian creatives globally and launching products in India first have been set as next targets.

"We are changing strategy and putting India in the first wave of product launches, which was not the case before," said Xudong.